Prayer of Manasseh 7–11

For thou art the Lord Most High, of great compassion,

long-suffering and abundant in mercy, and repentest thee for the evils of men.

Thou, therefore, O Lord, that art the God of the righteous, hast not appointed repentance unto the righteous, unto Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob, which have not sinned against thee:

But thou hast appointed repentance unto me that am a sinner;

For the sins I have sinned are more in number than the sands of the sea.

For my transgressions were multiplied, O Lord:

My transgressions were multiplied,

And I am not worthy to behold and see the height of heaven by reason of the multitude of mine iniquities.

*And now, O Lord, I am justly punished and deservedly afflicted;

For lo! I am in captivity,*

Bowed down with many an iron chain,

So that I cannot lift up mine head by reason of my sins,

Neither have I any respite:

Because I provoked thy wrath, and did that which was evil in thy sight.

*I did not do thy will, neither kept I thy commandments:*

I set up abominations, and multiplied detestable things.

And now I bow the knee of mine heart, beseeching thee of thy gracious goodness.